Actuator bracket for a modular base assembly for vehicle model making

ABSTRACT

A bracket assembly is provided for an actuator associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making where the actuator includes a tube nut assembly, a motor, and a gear housing. The bracket assembly includes an upper actuator mount assembly mounted around the drive screw assembly adjacent to the motor and gear housing; and a lower actuator mount assembly mounted around the drive screw assembly adjacent to a lower bearing surface of the tube nut assembly. The upper and lower mount assemblies each include locator nubs for positioning and securing to the modular base assembly.

This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/991,237 filed on Nov. 30, 2007 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to a bracket assembly for a leveler assembly associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making.

BACKGROUND

Model-making is often used in vehicle industries such as the automotive industry. In the automotive industry, designers make full-scale automobile models out of suitable clay to get a general look and feel of their design before the automobile is produced and sold. Designers also make full-scale, life-like models from suitable foam for displaying future automobile designs at trade shows. In both cases, a base assembly is commonly used as sort of a pedestal for the models. Some base assemblies are made to be steerable and wheel driven similar to an actual automobile and other base assemblies are stationary. Traditionally, steel castings have been used for both of these driveable and nondrivable base assemblies.

Those base assemblies that are steerable and wheel driven include leveler assemblies with actuators operably connected to the wheel assemblies. In previous designs, the packaging of the actuators required the leveler assemblies to be positioned in the interior of the frame. Smaller available actuators make it possible to position the actuators for the leveler assembly exterior of the frame without hindering the wheel assembly.

SUMMARY

A bracket assembly for an actuator associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making is provided, wherein the actuator has a tubular nut assembly operably connected to a lower bearing surface. The bracket assembly includes an upper actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around the tubular nut assembly adjacent to the gear housing. The bracket assembly also includes a lower actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around a lower and other tubular nut assembly adjacent to the lower bearing surface. The lower actuator model assembly is configured for also mounting to the modular base assembly.

In one aspect of the invention the upper actuator mount assembly includes a pair of plate members that are the mirror image of each other. Each plate member has spaced horizontal surfaces and inner surfaces con figured for abutment and connection to each other. The pair of plate members each has opposing outer surfaces forming a wall that extend perpendicularly from the horizontal surfaces. Each wall has apertures therethrough for connecting the pair of plate members together.

In another aspect of the invention each plate member has a semi-circular notch formed in the inner surface warming a center circular aperture when the pair of plate members is connected together. Center circular aperture is configured for receiving an upper portion of the tubular nut assembly.

In another aspect of the invention the lower actuator mount assembly includes a back plate and front plate. The front and back plates each have inner surfaces configured for abutment and connection to each other, and opposing outer surfaces with through apertures extending from the outer surface to the inner surfaces.

In another aspect of the invention inner surfaces of the front and back plates have arcuate notches formed therein, wherein the arcuate notches form a circular aperture when the front and back plates are assembled together. The circular aperture is configured for receiving a lower portion of the tubular nut assembly adjacent the bearing surface.

In yet another aspect of the invention the circular aperture is offset in the front and back plates

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular base assembly with multiple levelers assemblies located adjacent wheels and each having an actuator and a bracket assembly for connection to the modular base assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the actuator and bracket assembly according to the present invention showing connection to a portion of the modular base assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the actuator and the actuator bracket assembly;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of the bracket assembly including an upper actuator mount assembly and a lower actuator mount assembly each connected to the actuator with the actuator orientated in one position to illustrate certain details;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of the bracket assembly connected to the actuator and orientated 180° from FIG. 4 a to illustrate other details;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an upper actuator mount assembly of the bracket assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a lower actuator mount assembly of the bracket assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Looking at FIG. 1, one embodiment of a modular base assembly is shown at 10. The base is used to make full scale, life-like models from a suitable foam for displaying future automobile designs at trade shows. The base assembly 10 has numerous model making components 12 attached together to form the skeleton or frame 14 of the automobile. A similar modular base assembly is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/334,035, filed on Jan. 18, 2006 and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The base assembly 10 includes a frame 14 having four leveler assemblies 16 attached to the frame 14 with one leveler assembly 16 preferably positioned at each wheel location. The four leveler assemblies 16 each include actuators 18 (FIGS. 2-4 b) for maintaining the frame 14 level on uneven surfaces. The leveler assemblies 16 are attached either to the inside or outside of the frame 14. Smaller actuators 18 can now be installed outside of the frame 14 and positioned in combination with a wheel bracket assembly (not shown) for connection to the frame 14 and selective actuation of the connecting wheels 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the leveler assembly 16 component serves as the legs for the modular base assembly 10 to carry the frame 14 and thus carry the vehicle model 10 over the ground surface. Among other things, the leveler assemblies 16 place the frame 14 on a level plane so that the modular base assembly 10 can be worked on. In one sense, leveler assemblies 16 can resemble wheel assemblies on production automobiles. In a more common configuration the leveler assemblies include the actuator 18 with a lower bearing surface including a movable level foot 20 positioned at the end of a drive screw which is connected to a motor 22 and gear box 24. The drive screw (not shown) is housed in a cylindrical housing 26. The drive screw is a known component. One manufacturer of a drive screw that can be used with the subject invention is Duff-Norton a division of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation of Amherst, N.Y.

One leveler assembly 16 is located adjacent each wheel assembly. The leveler assemblies 16 are attached to side supports by bolting. A unique bracket assembly 30 is disclosed for bolting the leveler assemblies 16 to the side supports of frame 14 of the modular base assembly 10, which prevents torsional movement of the actuator 18 and provides secure attachment to the frame 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the actuator 18 and actuator bracket assembly 30 according to the present invention. In FIG. 2 it should be noted that although the actuator 18 and actuator bracket assembly 30 is shown on the exterior of the frame 14, the actuator 18 and actuator bracket assembly 30 may be positioned and connected to the interior of the frame 14.

The actuator assembly 18 includes the actuator drive screw (not shown) enclosed in a housing 26. The screw terminates and is connected to the foot 20 that is exposed from a bottom end of the housing 26. The foot 20 moves with the movement of the drive screw. A motor 22 and gear box 24 are functionally connected to the actuator screw for operating the screw and associated foot 20. The foot 20 can be selectively moved by the motor 22 to position the foot 20 so that the modular base assembly 10 maintains a level orientation. The gear box 24 and motor 22 are connected to the drive screw by conventional means. A clamping fixture 32 is provided between the gear box 24 and the drive screw housing 26 for connection to the actuator bracket assembly 30. The clamping fixture 32 includes a member affixed between the screw housing 26 and the gear box 24. The member includes a pair of exposed faces 34 with a center threaded aperture 36 through each. The exposed faces 34 are positioned on opposing sides of the gearbox 24.

The actuator bracket assembly 30 further includes an upper actuator mount assembly 40 and a lower actuator mount assembly 70. The upper actuator mount assembly 40 has features for mounting to the actuator assembly 18 as well as the frame 14. For mounting to the actuator assembly 18, the upper actuator mount assembly 40 is secured to the clamping fixture 32 as will be discussed hereinafter.

Looking at FIG. 5, the upper actuator mount assembly 40 includes a pair of upper plates 42 a, 42 b which are essentially mirror images of each other except for certain details. The pair of upper plates 42 a, 42 b can be identified as an upper inner plate 42 a and an upper outer plate 42 b. The upper inner plate 42 a includes certain details which allow for connection to the frame 14 that are not provided on the upper outer plate 42 b. Each of the upper plate members 42 a, 42 b have an upper horizontal surface 44 a, 44 b and an opposing bottom surface 46 a, 46 b spaced from each other and defining the thickness of the plate members 42 a, 42 b. The pair of upper plates 42 a, 42 b also has inner edges/surfaces 48 a, 48 b configured for abutment and connection to each other. Semicircular through grooves 50 a, 50 b are cut into the inside edges 48 a, 48 b of each upper plate 42 a, 42 b. When the inner surfaces 48 a, 48 b of the upper plates 42 a, 42 b meet and are connected, the semicircular grooves 50 a, 50 b form a circular through aperture for receiving the drive screw housing 26 as can be seen in FIG. 3. The upper 52 and lower 54 edges of the circular aperture formed by the upper plates 42 are beveled.

At the opposing ends of the inner edges 48 a, 48 b of each upper plate is a wall 56 a, 56 b extending perpendicular above the horizontal upper surface 44 a, 44 b. The spacing between the vertical walls 56 a, 56 b is such that the vertical walls lie immediately adjacent to opposing sides of the gear box 24 when assembled to the actuator assembly 18, as shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. Each vertical wall 56 a, 56 b of the upper plates 42 a, 42 b has a centrally located through aperture 58 a, 58 b for receiving a threaded screw (not shown) to thread into the apertures 36 of the clamping fixture 32 on the actuator 18. A groove 60 a, 60 b extends from each peripheral edge of the semicircular aperture 50 a, 50 b to the vertical wall 56 a, 56 b to provide access for the screw through apertures 58 a, 58 b to the clamping fixture 32.

The outer upper plate 42 b has a through aperture 62 on each side of the central groove 58 b extending from the exterior surface 64 of the vertical wall 56 b, through the body of the plate 42 b to the inner edge 48 b of the outer upper plate 42 b for receiving threaded screws 66. The inner upper plate 42 a has apertures 67 through the inner edges 46 a. The apertures 67 extend at least a portion through the body of the plate 42 a and are configured for receiving the end portions of the screws 66. The screws 66 secured the two upper plates 42 a, 42 b together.

Looking at FIG. 4 b, the vertical wall 56 a of the inner upper plate 42 a includes a locating nub 68 on either side of the center aperture 58 a. The locating nubs 68 are configured for installment into parallel holes 28 of the frame 14 and are configured for frictional connection within the holes 28 of the frame 14.

The actuator bracket assembly 30 further includes a lower actuator mount assembly 70, as shown in FIG. 6. The lower actuator mount assembly 70 also includes two members 72 a, 72 b that abut each other when connected around the actuator housing 26. The first member 72 a is essentially a rectangular plate having an upper horizontal surface 74 and an opposing lower horizontal surface 75. The first member plate 72 a has an inner vertical edge surface 76 a extending between and integrally connected to the upper and lower horizontal surfaces. The inner vertical edge abuts 76 b to the second member 72 b. An arcuate through groove 78 is cut into the vertical inner edge 76 a. The arcuate through groove 78 extends from the upper horizontal surface 74 to the lower horizontal surface 75. The arcuate aperture 78 has an arcuate opening greater than a 200° arc. A pair of opposing grooves 80 extends into the surface of the arcuate aperture 78 from the upper horizontal surface 74 to the lower horizontal surface 75. The grooves 80 assist in dislodging air and debris on the actuator housing 26 as the lower actuator mount assembly 70 is installed and aligned onto the actuator 18. On either side of the arcuate aperture 78 are a pair of threaded apertures 86 a for receiving connection means for connecting the two members 72 a, 72 b together.

Opposite the inside edge of the first member is an opposing outside planar edge 82 (FIG. 4 b). On the horizontal upper surface 74 adjacent the outside edge 82 is a plurality of raised locating nubbed screw holes 84 spaced and raised above the horizontal upper surface 74 and configured for disposal within the frame holes 28 of the modular base assembly 10. The locating nubbed screw holes 84 are spaced from the arcuate aperture 78 in order that the lower actuator mount assembly 70 can be adequately secured to a bottom portion of the frame 14 without the frame 14 obstructing the arcuate groove 78 for the actuator 18.

The second member 72 b of the lower actuator mount assembly 70 is a cap for the first member 72 a having an inside surface 76 b configured for abutting the inside surface 76 a of the first member 72 a. The inside surface 76 b has a centrally located arcuate groove 88 cut out therein which completes and forms a circular aperture with the arcuate groove 78 when the first and second member 72 a, 72 b of the lower actuator mount assembly 70 are connected together. The inside edge 76 b of the second member 72 b has a pair of through apertures 86 b which extend to the opposing outer vertical edge 90 and located on either side of the arcuate groove 88. The through apertures 86 b are positioned for aligning with the apertures 86 a in the first member 72 a. The through apertures are intended for receiving screws 92 for attaching the second member 72 b to the first member 72 a. The circular aperture 78,88 formed when the first and second members 72 a, 72 b are connected is configured for receiving a portion of the tubular housing of the actuator 18.

FIG. 2 illustrate the assembly of the actuator bracket assembly 30 to the modular base assembly 10. The inner plate 42 a of the upper actuator mount assembly 40 is secured to the frame 14 at a predetermined position which allows proper alignment of the actuator 18 and a subsequent wheel assembly (not shown). The locating nubs 68 frictionally hold the inner plate 42 a in place on the frame until the remaining components are installed.

The first and second members 72 a, 72 b of the lower actuator mount assembly 70 are connected to each other via screws 92 extending through the apertures 86 a, 86 b. The lower actuator mount assembly 70 is then connected to the frame 14. Chases or nut strips 94 are installed within the cavity of the frame 14 and positioned for proper alignment of the lower actuator mount assembly 70. The raised locating nubbed screw holes 84 on the first plate 72 a are aligned with apertures in the nut strips 94 positioned within the cavity of the frame 14. Appropriate sized shanks or screws 96 are inserted into apertures extending in the bottom surface 75 of the first member 72 a that extend through the locating nubbed screw holes 84 and into the nut strips 94 for securing the lower actuator mount assembly 70 to the frame 14.

The actuator 18 is then installed so that the housing 26 and screw are inserted through the circular aperture 78, 88 formed by the lower actuator mount assembly 70. The actuator 18 can be rotated within the lower actuator mount assembly 70 until proper alignment is acquired. Proper alignment includes that the apertures 36 of the clamping fixture on the actuator 18 b aligned with the aperture 58 a in the wall 56 a of the inner plate 42 a of the upper actuator mount assembly 40. While the actuator 18 is being rotated for the proper alignment, debris or excess air can be evacuated between the actuator housing 26 and the circular apertures 78,88 formed by the lower actuator mount assembly 70 via the grooves 80. Once the actuator 18 is properly aligned, the outer plate 42 b of the upper actuator mount assembly 40 can be installed over the clamping fixture 32 connecting the outer plate 42 b to the inner plate 42 a of the upper actuator mount assembly 40. The screw 41 extends through aperture 58 b and into threaded aperture 36 in the clamping fixture 32. The actuator bracket assembly 30 is now fully installed onto the frame of the modular base assembly 10. Although the assembly of the actuator bracket assembly 30 onto the modular base assembly 10 is shown with the convenience of nut strips 94, it is envisioned that the actuator bracket assembly 30 as disclosed can be attached to the frame 14 without the addition of nut strips.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

1. A bracket assembly for an actuator associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making, the actuator having a drive screw assembly having a lower bearing surface, a motor and a gear housing, the bracket assembly comprising: an upper actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around the tubular nut assembly adjacent the gear housing; and a lower actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around a lower end of the drive screw assembly, adjacent to the lower bearing surface and said lower actuator mount assembly configured for mounting to the modular base assembly.
 2. The bracket assembly of claim 1, the upper actuator mount assembly comprising: a pair of plate members, each plate member with spaced horizontal surfaces and having inner surfaces configured for abutment and connection to each other and outer surfaces forming a wall extending perpendicular from the horizontal surfaces, said each wall having apertures for connecting the pair of plate members together.
 3. The bracket assembly of claim 2, wherein each wall has a center through aperture for receiving connection means to the actuator.
 4. The bracket assembly of claim 2, wherein each plate member has a semi-circular notch formed in the inner surface forming a center circular aperture when the pair of plate members connected together, said center circular aperture configured for receiving an upper portion of the tubular nut assembly.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 4, wherein one of the horizontal surfaces of each plate member has a groove extending from the semi-circular notch to the wall.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 1, the lower actuator mount assembly comprising: a back plate and a front plate, the front and back plates each having inner surfaces configured for abutment and connection to each other, and opposing outer surfaces with through apertures extending from the outer surfaces to the inner surfaces.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the inner surfaces of the front and back plates have arcuate notches formed therein and the arcuate notches form a circular aperture when the front and back plates are assembled together defining a lower bracket plate said circular aperture configured for receiving a lower portion of the drive screw assembly adjacent the bearing surface.
 8. The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the back plate has a larger arcuate notch than the front plate.
 9. The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the circular aperture includes means for expelling dirt and air around the tubular nut assembly.
 10. The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the means for expelling dirt and air is a groove in the arcuate notch extending between the opposing horizontal surfaces.
 11. The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the circular aperture is offset the center of the lower bracket plate.
 12. The bracket assembly of claim 11, wherein the back plate has locating nubs protruding from one of the horizontal surfaces adjacent the outer surface. 